Distributed encoding of a video stream

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving input at a computing device, where the input indicates a value of a local encoding parameter, indicates a value of a remote encoding parameter, and identifies a first subset of streams and a second subset of streams. The first subset and the second subset correspond to renditions of a video stream. The method further includes sending, to a media server, the first subset and the value of the remote encoding parameter, where the first subset includes a particular rendition of the video stream generated using a lossless encoding scheme, and wherein the media server is configured to generate the second subset of streams based on the value of the remote encoding parameter and based on the particular rendition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/869,221, filed Sep. 29, 2015, now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,467,706, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/923,069, filed Jun. 20, 2013, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,179,159, the content of each of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The popularity of the Internet, coupled with the increasing capabilitiesof personal/mobile electronic devices, has provided consumers with theability to enjoy multimedia content almost anytime and anywhere. Forexample, live (e.g., sports events) and video on demand (VOD) content(e.g., television shows and movies) can be streamed via the Internet topersonal electronic devices (e.g., computers, mobile phones, andInternet-enabled televisions).

To stream a live event, a content provider may capture video of the liveevent and may encode the captured video at the site of the live event.The encoded video may be provided to servers that stream the encodedvideo to various user devices. Because different user devices may havedifferent resolutions, computing capabilities, and/or bandwidths,multiple versions of the live video may need to be generated at thecapture site, which increases processing complexity and cost.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of distributing encoding of a video stream between a“local” computing device and a “remote” media server are disclosed. Forexample, in accordance with the described techniques, a local computingdevice (e.g., at the capture site) may be responsible for encoding some,but not all, adaptive bitrate renditions of the video stream. Thecomputing device may send the locally encoded rendition(s) to the mediaserver, which uses the locally encoded rendition(s) to generate theremaining (e.g., remotely encoded) rendition(s). The media server mayalso package the locally encoded and the remotely encoded renditions foradaptive streaming to destination devices. In some implementations, thelocal computing device may generate and display a graphical userinterface (GUI). A user may provide input via the GUI. The user inputmay indicate whether each particular adaptive bitrate rendition is to begenerated locally by the computing device or remotely by the mediaserver. The user input may also provide values for one or more localencoding parameters (which are used to generate the locally encodedrendition(s)) and one or more remote encoding parameters (which are sentto the media server for use in generating the remotely encodedrendition(s)).

By distributing encoding responsibilities between the computing deviceand the media server, processing resources at the computing device(e.g., the capture site) may be reduced. Further, the total bandwidth ofall available adaptive bitrate renditions offered by the media servercan exceed the available bandwidth needed between the computing deviceand the media server. Increasing the number of available adaptivebitrate renditions may provide greater streaming flexibility in thepresence of varying network conditions, leading to fewerbandwidth-related playback interruptions at destination devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a particular embodiment of a system that isoperable to distribute encoding of a media stream between a computingdevice and a media server;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of another particular embodiment of a system that isoperable to distribute encoding of a media stream between a computingdevice and a media server;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a first particular embodiment of a method ofoperation at the computing device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a second particular embodiment of a method ofoperation at the computing device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method ofoperation at the media server of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of a system 100 that isoperable to distribute encoding of a video stream 104 between acomputing device 110 and a media server 150.

The computing device 110 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, aserver computer, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, a smartphone, atablet computer, etc.), or any combination thereof, and may beconfigured to send data to and receive data from the media server 150.The computing device 110 may include one or more processors 111 and oneor more network interfaces 112. For example, the network interface(s)112 may include input interface(s) and output interface(s) that areconfigured to receive data and to send data, respectively. In aparticular embodiment, the network interface(s) 112 may be wired and/orwireless interfaces that enable the computing device 110 to communicatedata via a network, such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet.For example, the network interface(s) 112 may include an Ethernetinterface, a wireless interface compatible with an Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi)protocol, or other wired or wireless interfaces.

The computing device 110 may receive the video stream(s) 104 from acapture source (e.g., a camera 102, capture hardware, etc.).Alternately, the video stream 104 may be captured at a location remotefrom the computing device 110 and may be received via the networkinterface(s) 112. In a particular embodiment, the video stream 104 is alive video stream.

The computing device 110 may also include a distributed encodingconfiguration module 113 and one or more encoders 114, each of which maybe implemented using hardware and/or software (e.g., instructionsexecutable by the processor(s) 111). In a particular embodiment, thedistributed encoding module 113 may be part of a software applicationprovided by a vendor of the media server 150. The distributed encodingconfiguration module 113 may generate a graphical user interface (GUI)115 and may send the GUI 115 to a display device 116 (e.g., a computermonitor). The GUI 115 may include options to define various encodingparameters. For example, the GUI 115 may be used to define values oflocal encoding parameters that are to be used by the computing device110 to encode the received video stream 104. As another example, the GUI115 may be used to define values of remote encoding parameters to beused by the media server 150. For example, when adaptive bitratestreaming is supported by the media server 150, the GUI 115 may includeoptions to define the available renditions of the video stream 104 andwhether each of the renditions is to be generated by the computingdevice 110 or by the media server 150. Examples of encoding parametersinclude, but are not limited to, a frame size, a bitrate, a videocoder/decoder (CODEC), an audio CODEC, an audio sampling rate, and anumber of audio channels. The GUI 115 may also include options to definevideo capture settings, such as configuration settings of the camera102. In a particular embodiment, the GUI 115 may include GUI elementscorresponding to configuration options. For example, the GUI 115 mayinclude text fields, drop-down menus, etc. operable to select frompreset streaming profiles (e.g., combinations of parameter values)and/or to create custom streaming profiles.

A user (e.g., administrator or owner of the computing device 110) mayinteract with the GUI 115 using an input device 117 (e.g., a keyboard, amouse, a touchscreen, etc.), and the distributed encoding configurationmodule 113 may receive user input 118 from the input device 117. Theuser input 118 may include values for local and remote encodingparameters. The user input 118 may also include capture settings (e.g.,corresponding to parameters of the camera 102) and adaptive streaminggroups (e.g., input indicating that renditions A, B, and C are formobile devices, renditions X, Y, and Z are for desktop/laptop computers,and renditions M and N are for set-top boxes (STBs)).

In a particular embodiment, the GUI 115 may be used to configureadaptive bitrate streaming of the video stream 104 by the media server150. To illustrate, the user input 118 may indicate bitrates, framesizes, selected CODECs, etc. of adaptive bitrate renditions of the videostream 104 that are to be offered by the media server 150. The userinput 118 may also indicate whether each adaptive bitrate rendition isto be generated at the computing device 110 or at the media server 150.Thus, encoding responsibilities may be split between the computingdevice 110 and the media server 150 in a manner selected by a user viathe GUI 115. Adaptive bitrate streaming is further described withreference to FIG. 2.

In a particular embodiment, the GUI 115 may include information to aidthe user in deciding what adaptive streaming renditions should begenerated and where such renditions should be generated. For example,the GUI 115 can include information indicating relative computingcapabilities (e.g., processor information, memory information, etc.) ofthe computing device 110 and the media server 150. The GUI 115 may alsoinclude information regarding available network bandwidth between thecomputing device 110 and the media server 150 and information regardingoutbound bandwidth available to the media server 150 for streaming todestination devices. In one example, the GUI 115 may indicate “default”(e.g., static) encoding parameter values that will be used unlessoverwritten by the user. For example, the default encoding parameters,including where each rendition of the video stream 104 will begenerated, may be dynamically determined by the module 113 based on therelative computing capabilities of, and the bandwidth between, thecomputing device 110 and the media server 150.

When the user input 118 indicates that the computing device 110 is togenerate one or more of the renditions, the computing device 110 may usethe encoder(s) 114 to generate a first encoded stream(s) 120corresponding to the renditions. The computing device 110 may send thefirst encoded stream(s) 120 to the media server 150. The computingdevice 110 may also send values 130 of remote encoding parameters to themedia server 150, so that the media server 150 can use the values 130 ofthe remote encoding parameters to generate the remaining renditions ofthe video stream 104. When the user input 118 indicates that allrenditions are to be remotely generated by the media server 150, thecomputing device 110 may forward the video stream 104 (or anencoded/compressed (e.g., lossless compression) version thereof) to themedia server 150. The lossless compression scheme may be selected by theuser or may be a default scheme.

The media server 150 may include one or more processors 151 and variouscomponents that are executable by the processor(s) 151. The media server150 may correspond to or include software application(s) that performmedia serving or processing, hardware systems (e.g., servers) thatsupport or perform media serving and processing, or any combinationthereof. Thus, various operations described with reference to the mediaserver 150, or components thereof, may be implemented using hardware,software (e.g., instructions executable by the processor(s) 151), or anycombination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the media server 150may be provided by a third party streaming service that is distinct froman owner of the computing device 110. For example, the third partystreaming service may be associated with a cloud computing provider or acontent delivery network (CDN) provider.

The media server 150 may include one or more network interfaces 152. Forexample, the network interface(s) 152 may include input interface(s) andoutput interface(s) that are configured to receive data and to senddata, respectively. In a particular embodiment, the network interface(s)152 may be wired and/or wireless interfaces that enable the media server150 to communicate data via a network, such as the Internet. Forexample, the network interface(s) 152 may include an Ethernet interface,a wireless interface compatible with an IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi)protocol, or other wired or wireless interfaces.

The media server 150 may also include encoder(s) 153 and decoder(s) 154,each of which may be implemented using hardware and/or software (e.g.,instructions executable by the processor(s) 151). The decoder(s) 154 maydecode one of the received first encoded stream(s) 120 to generate adecoded stream 161. The encoder(s) 153 may re-encode the decoded stream161 in accordance with the received value(s) 130 of the remote encodingparameters to generate one or more second encoded streams 162. Forexample, the second encoded stream(s) 162 may have larger or smallerbitrates, frame sizes, etc. as compared to the first encoded stream(s)120. The media server 150 may stream adaptive bitrate rendition(s) 165of the video stream 104 to destination devices, such as playback devicesor other servers. The adaptive bitrate rendition(s) 165 may include atleast one of the first encoded stream(s) 120 and/or at least one of thesecond encoded stream(s) 162.

During operation, the computing device 110 may receive the video stream104, may generate the GUI 115, and may receive the user input 118. Theuser input 118 may include or indicate values of local encodingparameters and remote encoding parameters. When the user input 118indicates that one or more adaptive bitrate renditions of the videostream 104 are to be locally generated, the computing device 110 maygenerate the local adaptive bitrate renditions (e.g., based on the localparameter values) and transmit such renditions to the media server 150as part of the first encoded stream(s) 120. The computing device 110 mayalso transmit the value(s) 130 of the remote encoding parameters to themedia server 150. When the user input 118 indicates that one or moreadaptive bitrate renditions of the video stream 104 are to be remotelygenerated, the media server 150 may decode and re-encode video datausing the user-selected remote encoding parameter value(s) 130 togenerate the second encoded stream(s) 162. At least one of the firstencoded stream(s) 120 and/or at least one of the second encodedstream(s) 162 may be provided by the media server 150 as the adaptivebitrate rendition(s) 165.

The system 100 of FIG. 1 may thus enable distributed encoding andgeneration of video streams, such as distributed encoding of adaptivebitrate renditions of a live stream. Such distributed encoding mayreduce an amount of processing resources needed at a computing devicelocated at a video capture site and reduce the total bandwidth neededbetween the video capture site and the media server. Further, higherquality renditions and/or a larger number of renditions may be providedto viewers as compared to a system limited to encoding all adaptivebitrate renditions locally at the capture site.

To illustrate, an available bandwidth of a communication path betweenthe computing device 110 and the media server 150 may be ten megabitsper second (Mbps). If all adaptive bitrate renditions were generatedlocally at the computing device, the total (i.e., sum) of the bitratesof the renditions would need to be less than ten Mbps, for the liveevent to be provided to the media server 150 to destination devices withminimal interruption. Thus, regardless of the outbound bandwidthavailable to the media server 150 for streaming to end-user devices, thebandwidth between the computing device 110 and the media server 150presents a potential bottleneck. In contrast, the system 100 of FIG. 1may enable the total adaptive streaming bitrate provided to viewers toexceed ten Mbps. To illustrate, the following ten adaptive streamingrenditions may be made available to users: 64 kilobits per second (kbps)audio-only, 264 kbps, 464 kbps, 664 kbps, 1264 kbps, 1864 kbps, 2564kbps, 4564 kbps, 6564 kbps, and 8564 kbps. The first three renditionsmay be recommended for cellular connections and the remaining renditionsmay be recommended for wireless data (e.g., Wi-Fi) connections. Inalternate embodiments, more than ten renditions or less than tenrenditions may be available for adaptive streaming. It will beappreciated that the total bitrate for the above ten renditions is overtwenty-six Mbps. Thus, the computing device 110 would not be able tosimultaneously transmit all ten renditions to the media server 150.However, in accordance with the described techniques, the computingdevice 110 may locally generate and transmit only the 64 kbps audio-onlyrendition and the highest-available-quality 8564 kbps rendition, whichhave a total bandwidth of less than ten Mbps. The remaining renditionsmay be remotely generated by the media server 150. The system 100 ofFIG. 1 may thus increase the number of available adaptive bitraterenditions, which may provide greater streaming flexibility in thepresence of varying network conditions, leading to fewerbandwidth-related playback interruptions at destination devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates another particular embodiment of a system 200 that isoperable to distribute encoding of the video stream 104 between thecomputing device 110 and the media server 150. The media server 150 maybe configured to send and receive data from various other devices. Forexample, the media server 150 may communicate with one or more playbackdevices 270 (e.g., devices that are configured to stream video content)and one or more other servers 280.

Examples of playback devices include a smartphone, a tablet computer, alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a set-top box, a television, aportable media player, a game console, etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 2,the playback devices 270 include a desktop/laptop computing device 271,a television (TV)/set-top box 272, a smartphone 273, and a tabletcomputer 274. Examples of servers include a media server, a stream relayserver, a server of a content distribution network (e.g., an edgeserver), etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the other servers 280 includea media server/stream relay server 281 and a server of a contentdistribution network (CDN) 282. Adaptive bitrate rendition(s) 165, 266may be transmitted by the media server 150 using an adaptive streamingprotocol, as further described herein.

In a particular embodiment, the media server 150 can convert media data(e.g., audio and/or video data) from one format or transmission protocolto multiple other formats or transmission protocols. For example, videostreams received and transmitted by the media server 150 may beassociated with the same encoding format and transmission protocol ormay be associated with different encoding formats and transmissionprotocols. In a particular embodiment, the media server 150 may generatevideo streams by performing video decoding, encoding, transcoding,and/or transmuxing operations (e.g., to modify a video encoding format,an audio encoding format, a bitrate, an aspect ratio, packaging, etc.).In a transmuxing operation, encoded audio and video may be repackagedwithout modifying the encoded audio and video.

Thus, the media server 150 may include various components configured toperform stream processing functions. For example, the media server 150may include one or more video processing components, such as theencoders 153, the decoders 154, and transcoders 255, each of which maybe implemented using hardware, software, or both. To illustrate, one ormore of the encoder(s) 153, decoder(s) 154, and transcoder(s) 255 may beimplemented using Java classes (e.g., executable by a Java VirtualMachine (JVM)), C++ instructions, C instructions, etc. The decoder(s)154 may decode data received by the media server 150. For example, thedecoder(s) 154 may decode received streams (e.g., live audio-only,video-only, or audio-video streams). The encoder(s) 153 may encode datathat is to be transmitted by the media server 150. The transcoder(s) 255may be configured to perform bitrate conversion, CODEC conversion, framesize conversion, etc. In a particular embodiment, a transcodingoperation performed by the transcoder(s) 255 may trigger a decodingoperation by the decoder(s) 154 and/or a re-encoding operation by theencoder(s) 153. In a particular embodiment, parameters used by thetranscoder(s) 255 are stored in one or more transcoding templates 256 atthe media server 150. The encoder(s) 153, decoder(s) 154, andtranscoder(s) 255 may thus enable the media server 150 to process datain accordance with multiple coding technologies and protocols.

For example, the media server 150 may support video encoding typesincluding, but not limited to, H.264, On2 VP6, Sorenson Spark, Screenvideo, Screen video 2, motion picture experts group (MPEG) 2 (MPEG-2),and MPEG-4 Part 2. The media server 150 may support audio encoding typesincluding, but not limited to, advanced audio coding (AAC), AAC lowcomplexity (AAC LC), AAC high efficiency (HE-AAC), G.711, MPEG AudioLayer 3 (MP3), Speex, Nellymoser Asao, and AC-3.

The media server 150 may support communication (e.g., adaptive streamingand non-adaptive streaming) protocols including, but not limited to,hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) live streaming (HLS), HTTP dynamicstreaming (HDS), smooth streaming, and MPEG dynamic adaptive streamingover HTTP (MPEG-DASH) (also known as international organization forstandardization (ISO)/international electrotechnical commission (IEC)23009-1). The media server 150 may also support real time messagingprotocol (RTMP) (and variants thereof), real-time streaming protocol(RTSP), real-time transport protocol (RTP), and MPEG-2 transport stream(MPEG-TS). Additional audio formats, video formats, coder/decoders(CODECs), and/or protocols may also be supported.

In a particular embodiment, the media server 150 includes one or moredata storage devices 259 (e.g., random access memory (RAM), disk-basedstorage, solid-state non-volatile memory, etc.). The data storagedevice(s) 259 may store stream data (e.g., frames of a live videostream), files, closed caption data, images (e.g., to be overlaid on topof a video stream), etc. To illustrate, the data storage device(s) 259may buffer portions of the first encoded stream(s) 120 and the secondencoded stream(s) 162 for adaptive streaming delivery to destinationdevices.

During operation, the computing device 110 may generate (e.g., based onlocal parameter values) and transmit one or more adaptive streamingrenditions to the media server 150 as part of the first encodedstream(s) 120. The computing device 110 may also transmit the value(s)130 of remote encoding parameters to the media server 150. The mediaserver 150 may decode and re-encode video data to generate secondencoded stream(s) (e.g., the second encoded stream(s) 162 of FIG. 1). Atleast one of the first encoded stream(s) 120 and/or at least one of thesecond encoded stream(s) may be provided by the media server 150 as theadaptive bitrate rendition(s) 165, 266.

In a particular embodiment, the media server 150 may generate anadaptive streaming manifest 263 based on data received from thecomputing device 110. Alternately, the manifest 263 may be generated bythe computing device 110 based on the user input 118 and may betransmitted to the media server 150. The manifest 263 may includeinformation describing each of the adaptive bitrate renditions 165, 266that is available for adaptive streaming. To initiate an adaptivestreaming session, a destination device, e.g., the computing device 271,may request the manifest 263. Upon receiving the manifest 263, thecomputing device 271 may determine which of the available renditionsshould be requested from the media server 150. For example, thecomputing device 271 may make such a determination based onbuffering/processing capability at the computing device 271 and/ornetwork conditions (e.g., bandwidth) being experienced by the computingdevice 271.

Upon determining which rendition should be requested, the computingdevice 271 may transmit a request 264 to the media server 150. Therequest 264 may specify a particular portion (e.g., portion “X”) of therequested rendition. The particular portion may be specified usingstart/end frame numbers, start/end times, a portion number/identifier,etc. Depending on the adaptive streaming protocol in use, the requestedportion may correspond to a “chunk” of a rendition and/or a group ofpictures (GOP). A “chunk” may refer to a fixed (e.g., ten seconds) orvariable length duration of a stream rendition. A group of pictures mayrefer to a collection of video frames that includes one or moreintra-coded frames (I-frames) and one or more additional frames thatinclude difference information relative to the one or more I-frames(e.g., P-frame and/or B-frames). If there are no problems with receiptand playback of the requested portion, the computing device 271 mayrequest a subsequent portion (e.g., portion “X+1”) of the samerendition. However, if playback and/or network conditions become worse,the computing device 271 may switch to a lower bitrate rendition byrequesting subsequent portions of the lower bitrate rendition.Conversely, if playback and/or network conditions improve, the computingdevice 271 may switch to a higher bitrate rendition. The media server150 and the computing device 110 may generate key frame aligned portionsfor the adaptive streaming renditions, so that switching to a lowerbitrate or higher bitrate rendition appears “seamless” (e.g., does notresult in noticeable visual glitches or dropped frames).

The system 200 of FIG. 2 may thus enable distributed encoding ofadaptive streaming renditions, including dynamic generation of anadaptive streaming manifest and simultaneous streaming to multipleplayback devices 270 and/or servers 280. In one embodiment, thedistributed encoding techniques described with reference to FIGS. 1-2may be cloud-hosted and may be provided to customers/subscribers (e.g.,video content providers) for a fee (e.g., a per-hour or per-byte fee).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a first particular embodiment of a method 300of operation at a computing device. In an illustrative embodiment, themethod 300 may be performed by the computing device 110 of FIGS. 1-2.

The method 300 may include receiving a video stream at a computingdevice, at 302, and receiving user input indicating a value of a localencoding parameter and a value of a remote encoding parameter, at 304.For example, referring to FIG. 1, the computing device 110 may receivethe video stream 104 and the user input 118.

The method 300 may also include encoding the video stream at thecomputing device based on the value of the local encoding parameter togenerate a first encoded stream, at 306. For example, the encoder(s) 114may generate the first encoded stream(s) 120.

The method 300 may also include sending the first encoded stream and thevalue of the remote encoding parameter to a media server, at 308. Themedia server may be configured to generate a second encoded stream basedon the value of the remote encoding parameter and the first encodedstream. For example, the computing device 110 may send the first encodedstream(s) 120 and the remote encoding parameter value(s) 130 to themedia server 150, and the media server 150 may generate the secondencoded stream(s) 162. The media server 150 may also offer one or moreof the first encoded stream(s) 120 and/or one or more of the secondencoded stream(s) 162 as the adaptive bitrate renditions 165 availablefor adaptive bitrate streaming to destination devices.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a second particular embodiment of a method 400of operation at a computing device. In an illustrative embodiment, themethod 400 may be performed by the computing device 110 of FIGS. 1-2.

The method 400 may include receiving a video stream (e.g., a live videostream) at a computing device, at 402. The video stream may be a livevideo stream received from a capture source, such as a camera or capturehardware. For example, the live video stream may be captured by a cameraat the site of a live event, such as a sporting event, a music concert,a business presentation, a university lecture, a religious service, etc.Alternately, the live video stream may be received via a network. Forexample, the live video stream may be an international televisionchannel or other video stream received via satellite.

The method 400 may also include generating a GUI at the computingdevice, at 404. The GUI may be configured to receive input indicatingwhether each of a plurality of adaptive bitrate renditions of the videostream is to be generated locally by the computing device or remotely bya media server. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the computing device110 may generate the GUI 115.

The method 400 may further include sending the GUI to a display deviceand receiving user input via the GUI, at 406. The user input mayindicate a value of a local encoding parameter and a value of a remoteencoding parameter (e.g., frame size, bitrate, video CODEC, audio CODEC,audio sampling rate, number of audio channels, etc.). For example, thecomputing device 110 may receive the user input 118.

The method 400 may include encoding the video stream at the computingdevice based on the value of the local encoding parameter to generate afirst encoded stream, at 408. For example, the encoder(s) 114 maygenerate the first encoded stream(s) 120 based on the remote encodingparameter value(s) 130. To illustrate, while generating the firstencoded stream(s) 120, the encoder(s) 114 may select a particular outputbitrate or frame size, and/or apply a particular video or audio CODEC,etc., as specified by the remote encoding parameter value(s) 130.

The method 400 may also include sending the first encoded stream and thevalue of the remote encoding parameter to a media server, at 410. Forexample, the computing device 110 may send the first encoded stream(s)120 and the remote encoding parameter value(s) 130 to the media server150.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 500 ofoperation at a media server. In an illustrative embodiment, the method500 may be performed by the media server 150 of FIGS. 1-2.

The method 500 may include receiving, at a media server, a first encodedstream and a value of a remote encoding parameter from a computingdevice, at 502. The first encoded stream may include a first adaptivebitrate rendition of a video stream. For example, referring to FIG. 1,the media server 150 may receive the first encoded stream(s) 120 and theremote encoding parameter value(s) 130 from the computing device 110.

The method 500 may also include decoding the first encoded stream togenerate a decoded stream, at 504, and encoding the decoded stream basedon the value of the remote encoding parameter to generate a secondencoded stream, at 506. The second encoded stream may include a secondadaptive bitrate rendition of the video stream. For example, the mediaserver 150 may decode the first encoded stream(s) 120 to generate thedecoded stream 161 and may encode the decoded stream 161 to generate thesecond encoded stream(s) 162.

The method 500 may further include sending at least one of the firstencoded stream and the second encoded stream to a destination deviceusing an adaptive streaming protocol, at 508. For example, the mediaserver 150 may send the adaptive bitrate rendition(s) 165 to adestination device. In a particular embodiment, the adaptive streamingprotocol is HLS, HDS, smooth streaming, or MPEG-DASH.

It should be noted that the order of steps illustrated in the flowchartsof FIGS. 3-5 are to be considered illustrative, not limiting. Inalternate embodiments, the order of steps may be different. Further, oneor more steps may be optional and/or replaced by other steps. Inaddition, one or more steps may be consolidated.

Although one or more embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1-5illustrate distributed encoding of live streams, variations of thedescribed embodiments may be used to configure and perform distributedencoding of non-live streams, such as video on demand streams. As usedherein, a “live” stream may differ from a “video on demand” (VOD)stream. A VOD stream originates from, or corresponds to, content that isavailable in its entirety at a stream source when a packet of the VODstream is sent. For example, a VOD stream may correspond to a movie ortelevision show that is stored at a storage device (e.g., the datastorage device 259 of the media server 150 or a data storage deviceremote to the media server 150). A live stream corresponds to contentthat is not available in its entirety when a packet of the live streamis sent. For example, a live stream may be used to transmit audio and/orvideo content corresponding to an event as the event is being captured(e.g., in real-time or near-real time). Examples of such events mayinclude, but are not limited to, in-progress sporting events, musicalperformances, video-conferences, and webcam feeds. It should be notedthat a live stream may be delayed with respect to the event beingcaptured (e.g., in accordance with government or industry regulations,such as delay regulations enforced by the Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC)). Thus, distributed encoding may be used to generateadaptive streaming renditions of VOD streams or digital video recorder(DVR) streams as well as live streams.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, one ormore methods, functions, and modules described herein may be implementedby software programs executable by a computer system. Further,implementations can include distributed processing, component/objectdistributed processing, and/or parallel processing.

Particular embodiments can be implemented using a computer systemexecuting a set of instructions that cause the computer system toperform any one or more of the methods or computer-based functionsdisclosed herein. A computer system may include a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a server computer, a mobile phone, a tablet computer,a set-top box, a media player, one or more other computing devices, orany combination thereof. The computer system may be connected, e.g.,using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. Forexample, the computer system or components thereof can include or beincluded within any one or more of the computing device 110 of FIGS.1-2, the media server 150 of FIGS. 1-2, the desktop/laptop computingdevice 271 of FIG. 2, the TV/set-top box 272 of FIG. 2, the smartphone273 of FIG. 2, the tablet computer 274 of FIG. 2, the mediaserver/stream relay server 281 of FIG. 2, a server (e.g., edge server)of the CDN 282 of FIG. 2, or any combination thereof.

In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The term “system” can include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

In a particular embodiment, the instructions can be embodied in anon-transitory computer-readable or a processor-readable medium. Theterms “computer-readable medium” and “processor-readable medium” includea single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributeddatabase, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or moresets of instructions. The terms “computer-readable medium” and“processor-readable medium” also include any medium that is capable ofstoring a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that causea computer system to perform any one or more of the methods oroperations disclosed herein. For example, a computer-readable orprocessor-readable medium or storage device may include random accessmemory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmableread-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers,a hard disk, a removable disk, a disc-based memory (e.g., compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), etc.), atape-based memory, or any other form of storage medium or device.

In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a video streamat a computing device. The method also includes receiving user inputindicating a value of a local encoding parameter and a value of a remoteencoding parameter. The method further includes encoding the videostream at the computing device based on the value of the local encodingparameter to generate a first encoded stream. The method includessending the first encoded stream and the value of the remote encodingparameter to a media server. The media server is configured to generatea second encoded stream based on the value of the remote encodingparameter and the first encoded stream.

In another particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor anda memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to perform operations including receiving, at acomputing device, user input indicating whether each of a plurality ofadaptive bitrate renditions of a video stream is to be generated by thecomputing device or by a media server. When the user input indicatesthat a first adaptive bitrate rendition of the video stream is to begenerated by the computing device, the operations include encoding thevideo stream at the computing device based on a value of a firstencoding parameter to generate a first encoded stream, and sending thefirst encoded stream and a value of a second encoding parameter to amedia server. The first encoded stream includes the first adaptivebitrate rendition and the media server is configured to generate asecond encoded stream based on the value of the second encodingparameter and the first encoded stream.

In another particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage devicestores instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause thecomputer to perform operations including receiving, at a media server, afirst encoded stream and a value of a remote encoding parameter from acomputing device. The first encoded stream includes a first adaptivebitrate rendition of a video stream. The operations also includedecoding the first encoded stream to generate a decoded stream. Theoperations further include encoding the decoded stream based on thevalue of the remote encoding parameter to generate a second encodedstream. The second encoded stream includes a second adaptive bitraterendition of the video stream. The operations include sending at leastone of the first encoded stream and the second encoded stream to adestination device using an adaptive streaming protocol.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, variousfeatures may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowedby law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by thebroadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving input from asingle external source at a computing device, wherein the inputindicates a value of a local encoding parameter, indicates a value of aremote encoding parameter, and identifies a first subset of streams anda second subset of streams, the first subset and the second subsetcorresponding to renditions of an output video stream; encoding an inputvideo stream at the computing device based on the value of the localencoding parameter to generate the first subset of streams; and sending,to a media server, the first subset of streams and the value of theremote encoding parameter, wherein the first subset of streams includesa particular rendition of the video stream generated using a losslessencoding scheme, and wherein the media server is configured to generatethe second subset of streams based on the value of the remote encodingparameter and based on the particular rendition.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising generating a manifest at the computing devicebased on the input and sending the manifest to the media server.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein each stream of the second subset of streamsis key frame aligned with respect to the particular rendition.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first subset is encoded at the computingdevice but not at the media server and the second subset is encoded atthe media server but not at the computing device.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein at least one of the local encoding parameter or the remoteencoding parameter includes a frame size, a bitrate, a selection of avideo coder/decoder (CODEC), a selection of an audio CODEC, an audiosampling rate, or a number of audio channels, and wherein the mediaserver is one of a plurality of devices included in a computing cloud.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the single external source comprises akeyboard, a mouse, a camera, a touchscreen, or capture hardware that isphysically connected to the computing device.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving, at the computing device, the videostream; and encoding, at the computing device, the first subset ofstreams based on the local encoding parameter and the video stream. 8.The method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least onedefault encoding parameter value at the computing device based onrelative computing capabilities of the computing device and the mediaserver, an available bandwidth of a network between the computing deviceand the media server, or a combination thereof.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the first subset includes no renditions of the video streamother than the particular rendition.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinthe second subset of streams is available for playback at one or moreclient devices and wherein the single source is distinct from the one ormore client devices.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first subsetof streams includes a first plurality of adaptive bitrate renditions ofthe video stream, wherein the second subset of streams includes a secondplurality of adaptive bitrate renditions of the video stream, andwherein each bitrate of each rendition of the first plurality ofadaptive bitrate renditions is different from each bitrate of eachrendition of the second plurality of adaptive bitrate renditions.
 12. Anapparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to performoperations comprising: receiving, at the processor from a singleexternal source, input, wherein the input indicates a value of a localencoding parameter, indicates a value of a remote encoding parameter,and identifies a first subset of streams and a second subset of streams,the first subset and the second subset corresponding to renditions of anoutput video stream; encoding an input video stream at the processorbased on the value of the local encoding parameter to generate the firstsubset of streams; and initiating transmission of the first subset ofstreams and the value of the remote encoding parameter to a mediaserver, wherein the first subset includes a particular rendition of thevideo stream generated using a lossless encoding scheme, and wherein themedia server is configured to generate the second subset of streamsbased on the value of the remote encoding parameter and based on theparticular rendition.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein theprocessor is located at a capture site of the video stream.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the second subset of streams includes aplurality of adaptive bitrate renditions of the video stream.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one stream of the first subsetcomprises an audio-only stream.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage device storing instructions that, when executed by a processor,cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving input ata computing device from a single external source, wherein the inputindicates a value of a local encoding parameter, indicates a value of aremote encoding parameter, and identifies a first subset of streams anda second subset of streams, the first subset and the second subsetcorresponding to renditions of an output video stream; encoding an inputvideo stream at the computing device based on the value of the localencoding parameter to generate the first subset of streams; andinitiating transmission to a media server of the first subset of streamsand the value of the remote encoding parameter, wherein the first subsetincludes a particular rendition of the video stream generated using alossless encoding scheme, and wherein the media server is configured togenerate the second subset based on the value of the remote encodingparameter and based on the particular rendition.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein at least oneencoded stream of the first subset of streams comprises an audio-onlystream.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim16, wherein the media server is configured to send a particular encodedstream to a destination device using an adaptive streaming protocol thatincludes at least one of: hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) livestreaming (HLS), HTTP dynamic streaming (HDS), smooth streaming, ormotion picture experts group (MPEG) dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP(MPEG-DASH).
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device ofclaim 16, wherein the media server is configured to generate an adaptivestreaming manifest, wherein the adaptive streaming manifest identifiesthe first subset of streams and the second subset of streams.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 16, whereineach of the first subset of streams has a bitrate that is greater than abitrate of each of the second subset of streams.